Body Weight, Wither Height And Growth Rates In Thoroughbreds Raised In America, England, Australia, New Zealand, And India

The purpose of this study was to obtain growth data from populations of Thoroughbreds born and raised in various countries and compare body weight, daily weight gain, and wither height growth curves. Information was collected for the years 1996 to 2006.

A linear regression model with foal age as the explanatory variable and country as the response variable was used to predict weight, height, and average daily gain and provide a confidence interval for the mean response at a specified age within each month of age category.

Significant differences in body weight, wither height, and average daily gain were observed between the populations of Thoroughbreds. In general, Australian and New Zealand Thoroughbreds tended to be larger than American Thoroughbreds, which in turn were larger than those reared in England. Thoroughbreds raised in India tended to be smaller than those born in other countries.

Brown-Douglas CG, and Pagan JD (2009) Body weight, wither height and growth rates in Thoroughbreds raised in America, England, Australia, New Zealand and India. In: Advances in Equine Nutrition IV. Nottingham University Press, UK. Pp 213-220.

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